Fiber bed separator

Abstract

A fiber bed separator formed of a bed of staple fibers is provided. A discontinuity is created within the bed of fibers at a selected location to improve the drainage of liquids from the fiber bed.

I claim: 
     
       1. A fiber bed separator for collecting aerosols from a flowing gas stream comprising: a bed of staple fibers having a diameter from about 5 microns to about 30 microns, and   means producing at least one discontinuity to produce a vertical passage for drainage of collected aerosols within said bed of fibers and to prevent the passage of aerosols from a downstream surface of the bed.   
     
     
       2. The fiber bed separator of claim 1 wherein said means for producing at least one discontinuity comprises: a layer of staple fibers having a diameter greater than the diameter of said staple fibers forming said bed of staple fibers.   
     
     
       3. The fiber bed separator of claim 2 wherein said diameter of said staple fibers of said layer of staple fibers is at least thirty percent greater than the diameter of said staple fibers forming said bed of staple fibers. 
     
     
       4. The fiber bed separator of claim 1 wherein said means for producing at least one discontinuity comprises: a fiber having a diameter at least thirty percent greater than the diameter of said staple fibers forming said bed of fibers, said fiber being helically wrapped within said bed of fibers.   
     
     
       5. A fiber bed separator for collecting aerosols from a flowing gas stream comprising: a bed of fibers formed by a plurality of predominantly parallel slivers of staple fibers having a weight of from approximately 0.1 to approximately 50 grams per meter, said slivers being self-supporting and able to retain their shape, said plurality of predominantly parallel slivers forming layers within said bed of fibers, and   means producing at least one discontinuity between said layers at at least one selected location within said bed of fibers to provide a substantially vertical passage for drainage of collected aerosols within said bed of fibers and to prevent the passage of aerosols from the downstream surface of the bed.   
     
     
       6. The fiber bed separator of claim 5 wherein said means for producing at least one discontinuity comprises a mat of randomly oriented staple fibers, said mat having a thickness of from about 0.1 millimeter to about 0.4 millimeters. 
     
     
       7. The fiber bed separator of claim 5 wherein said means for producing at least one discontinuity comprises a mat of randomly oriented staple fibers, said mat having a thickness of from about 0.25 to about 0.6 centimeters. 
     
     
       8. A fiber bed separator for collecting aerosols from a flowing gas stream comprising: a bed of fibers formed by a plurality of predominantly parallel slivers of staple fibers generally having a diameter of from about 5 microns to about 30 microns and having a weight of from approximately 0.1 to approximately 50 grams per meter, said slivers being self-supporting and able to retain their shape, said plurality of predominantly parallel slivers forming layers within said bed of fibers and   at least one sliver of staple fibers within said layers having a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of said predominantly parallel slivers, said at least one sliver producing a discontinuity within said bed of fibers and providing a passageway for the downward flow of said collected aerosols.   
     
     
       9. The fiber bed separator of claim 8 wherein said at least one sliver of staple fibers has a diameter at least thirty percent greater than the diameter of said predominantly parallel slivers. 
     
     
       10. A fiber bed separator for collecting aerosols from a flowing gas stream comprising: a bed of fibers formed by a plurality of predominantly parallel slivers of staple fibers having a weight of from approximately 0.1 to approximately 50.0 grams per meter and generally having a diameter of from about 5 microns to about 30 microns, said slivers being self-supporting and able to retain their shape, said plurality of predominantly parallel slivers forming layers within said bed of fibers, and   at least one mat of randomly oriented staple fibers within said bed of fibers at at least one selected location to produce at least one discontinuity between said layers of predominantly parallel slivers to provide a substantially vertical passage for drainage of said collected aerosols within said bed of fibers and to prevent the passage of aerosols from the downstream surface of the bed, said at least one mat having a thickeness of from about 0.25 centimeters to about 0.6 centimeters.